Thermometer-case.



J. IVIAcGREGOR, THERMOMETER CASE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9,1914.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

Imwe miiow: ohn Mac fireg0 2-.

flzq t ill/9191155 i/i nasaes; (76% Q1? v JOHN MACGREGOR, 01 ROSLINDALE, MAsSAcHUsETTs.

THEEMOMETEB-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1917.

Application filed May 9, 1914. Serial 1\l o. 837,584.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN MAoGRnooR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Roslindale, Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Thermometer-Cases, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a out leakage; a case which can readily be cleaned and a case with provision for holding the thermometer therein so that it can not be injured or broken.

The character of the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an illustrative clinical thermometer case shown herein as embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale is a vertical sectional view of the case shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 83 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a transverse section taken on line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Fig. 2; and 7 Figs. 6 and 7 are details to be referred to.

Referring to the drawing, the illustrative case there shown as embodying the invention comprises a tube 1 of hard rubber or other appropriate material simulating the outward appearance of a fountain pen. A. cup like cap 3 is threaded into the lower end of said tube and has a flanged collar 5 adapted to fit over the end of said tube and receive an annular gasket 7 The tube is about two thirds full of alcohol or other appropriate sterilizing liquid. When the cap is screwed into the tube it presses the gasket tightly against the rim of the latter and prevents any possibility of leakage between them. A usual clinical thermometer 8 is shown in the tube by broken lines.

To permit a ready insertion into and removal of the thermometer from the case and prevent the escape of the sterilizing liquid therefrom a diaphragm 9 (Fig. 7)

of rubber or other appropriate elastic material. is placed across the upper end of the tube and rests upon a seat 11 or internal shoulder formed in a sleeve or head 13 of metal or other appropriate material threaded into the upper end of the tube. To secure the diaphragm on to this seat a set ring 15 is threaded into said sleeve and is adapted to press against a washer 17 (Fig. (3 interposed between said diaphragm and ring.

The diaphragm should be very securely gripped between its seat and Washer. .To accomplish this the seat may have an upturned inner edge 19 and the lower face of the washer may have a groove 21 (Fig. 6) therein. When the washer is' pressed toward the seat by the set ring the inner edges of the seat and washer nip and secure the diaphragm between them on a circumferential line slightly within the edge of the diaphragm.

To facilitate the turning of this ring in tightening or loosening the same its upper edge may be notched at diametrically 0pposed points 18 (Fig. T0 facilitate thev turning of the sleeve it may have a knurled or ribbed external surface exposed above the end of the tube.

To permit the insertion of the thermometer through the diaphragm the latter is slitted preferably by three short slits (Figs. 3, i and 7) radiating from a common point 23 at the center of the diaphragm and providing a plural flap valve. When the lower end of the thermometer is presented to and pressed against the diaphragm it flexes the portions or flaps thereof between said slits outward and downward, forming an opening permitting the passage of the thermometer therethrough. At the same time the portions are stretched so that they tightly embrace the thermometer and prevent any possibility of. leakage of the sterilizing liquid past the diaphragm. Preferably the slits are equally spaced so that the flexing and stretching of the flaps is equally distributed and they'act uniformly in opening and closing. A plurality of flaps such as described is superior to a single flap since the flaps may be smaller, stiffer, and therefore have a stronger tendency to grip the thermometer and to close together and prevent leakage.

lVhen the thermometer is being removed wipe along the thermometer and remove the the-flaps of the diaphragm tightly grip and of liquid during the absence of the ther-' mometer. 7

After the thermometer has been inserted and removed several times the diaphragm becomes stretched somewhat so that it tends to assume a downward dished form. As stated, the tube 1 is only about two thirds full of alcohol. This permits the displacement of the alcohol on the insertion of the theri'noineter without forcing the liquid up out through the diaphragm. Since the alcohol is beneath the diaphragm the latter tends to become dr but in the course of the wiping action of the flaps a few drops of alcohol accumulate on and. are retained in the diaphragm by virtue of its dished form and thereby tend to keep the same in sterilized condition The sleeve carrying the diaphragm and the upper end of the tube may be inclosed by a cap 25 threaded or otherwise detachably connected to the tube.

To contribute to the positioning of the thermometer within the tube the lower end of the latter may receive a cushioning device conveniently in the form of a coil spring 27 seated and secured in the cup of the lower cap 3 and having a flaring mouth at its upper end. lVhen the thermometer is inserted into the tube its lower end is guided. yieldingly into the flaring mouth of said spring and centered in the tube and thus protected from striking the sides of the latter and consequent injury.

The tube may be provided with a spring clip 31 fast thereon adapted to grip the pocket of the user. By this arrangement the cap 25 and the thermometer may be re moved with one hand without the necessity of taking the tube from the pocket.

By my invention there is provided a simple case permitting a ready insertion and removal of the thermometer.v The diaphragm plural flap Valve effectively and automatically wipes the liquid from the thermometer on its removal and then tightly closes the tube and prevents any possibility of leakage.

When it is desired to clean the tube the lower cap and the diaphragm carrying sleeve may easily be unscrewed, thereby rendering the entire inner surface of the tube conveniently accessible. The cap is formed to retain its gasket therein and the spring is carried by the cap. Consequently the cap, gasket and spring may be connected readily to or disconnected from the tube as a unit when it is desired to clean or fill the tube.

Having described one illustrative embodiment of the invention without limiting the same thereto, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. A thermometer case comprising a tube 1 for receiving sterilizing liquid, a head 1.3 having a counterbore therein and a portion threaded into said tube, a valve diaphragm 9 seated in said counterbore, a washer 17 on said diaphragm, a ring 15 threaded in said counter-bore to press said washer and diaphragm toward the seat of the latter, and a cap 25 fitted on said tube inclosing said head.

2. A thermometer case comprising a tube 1 for receiving sterilizing liquid, a head 13 having a valve diaphragm 9 secured therein, a cap 3 having a portion threaded into said tube containing a socket, and a coil spring 27 to receive the thermometer and having its lower end seated and secured in said socket. p

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN MACGREGOR.

l Vitnesses r E. .R. BRAoKE'r'r, L. M. LAMBERT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

